What GPA Do You Need To Get Into Columbia

This is the go-to guide for getting into Columbia University in the City of New York. We suggest you read until the end… Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to Columbia University, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown Columbia University statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at Columbia University

What GPA do you need to get into Columbia University in the City of New York?

Columbia University in the City of New York’s average GPA is 3.91. Columbia University in the City of New York does require GPA. This average GPA means Columbia University in the City of New York is brutally selective – the most competitive applicants in the world are already applying to the school, in hopes of taking up residence in New York, and, somehow, you need to be better. Generally speaking, if your GPA is not at least equal to 3.91 then Columbia University in the City of New York may be a reach. However, Columbia University in the City of New York considers the ENTIRE application – we can make up for a weak GPA with more factors that we’ll discuss below. If your GPA is equal to or greater than 3.91, you’re sitting right in the sweet spot.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. Columbia University in the City of New York may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it… That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year – they end up going to the wrong school. These Columbia University admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What is Columbia University in the City of New York’s acceptance rate?

Last year Columbia University in the City of New York’s acceptance rate was 6.61. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

	2016	2017	2018
Acceptance Rate	7.0 %	7.0 %	6.61 %

As you can see, Columbia University in the City of New York is getting more and more difficult to get into. If this trend continue it’s likely that Columbia University will be even more competitive by the time you apply.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into Columbia University – it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

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Does Columbia University in the City of New York Require Test Scores?

Columbia University in the City of New York requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how Columbia University in the City of New York’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

Columbia University in the City of New York SAT Requirements

Columbia University in the City of New York’s average SAT score is 1500 – this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed – it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether Columbia University in the City of New York is getting more or less competitive.

	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Average
Math	710	800	755
Reading	700	790	745
2019 Total	1410	1590	1500
2018 Total	–	–	–
2017 Total	–	–	–

Columbia University in the City of New York’s average SAT score is 1500. To be a competitive applicant for Columbia University in the City of New York your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 1410, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider Columbia University in the City of New York a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of 1590.

Columbia University in the City of New York ACT Requirements

Columbia University in the City of New York’s average ACT score is 100. To be a competitive applicant for Columbia University in the City of New York your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 95, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider Columbia University in the City of New York a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 105.

	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Average
Math	30	35	32
Reading	33	35	34
Writing	32	35	33
2019 Total	95	105	100
2018 Total	–	–	–
2017 Total	–	–	–

How hard is it to get into Columbia University in the City of New York?

As you can see from the data above, Columbia University in the City of New York is exceptionally difficult to get into. Not only should you be aiming for a 3.91 but also SAT scores around 1500. Getting into Columbia University in the City of New York is no easy feat and you will need to set yourself apart with more than just numbers and data.

Columbia University in the City of New York Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into Columbia University in the City of New York from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

Recommendations	Status
School Rank	Recommended
GPA	Recommended
School Record	Required

How to get into Columbia University

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into Columbia University. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at Columbia University, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with Columbia University admission standards.

1. Score at least a 1500 on the SAT or 100 on the ACT.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.91.

Join Extra curriculars that Align with Columbia University’s Values.

1. Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If Columbia University in the City of New York values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
2. Volunteer in your hometown. New York has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. Columbia University in the City of New York wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school – they want students who will give back to the local community and broader New York area in general.
3. Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. Columbia University needs to see past your test scores and grades – they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores – your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

1. Write a stellar essay that shows Columbia University in the City of New York something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
2. Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your Columbia University app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
3. Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that Columbia University’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause – submit your app a few days early.

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What Grades Will You Need to Get into Columbia?

Your grades are highly important if you want to get into Columbia. The school reports that more than 90 percent of the class of 2021 were in the top 10 percent of their schools. This means that you should have all As or only a few A-minuses. The classes that you choose are also important. The admissions officers at Columbia are not impressed by students who have taken easy courses during high school even if they received As in all of them. Instead, you should take the most difficult courses that are available to you, including advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses instead of the regular class options. If you can show that you can handle these more difficult courses and that you scored As in them, you will greatly strengthen your application. In general, aim to attain an overall minimum GPA of at least 4.16 weighted

Columbia does not report the GPAs of their entering freshman class members. However, the school reports that for the entering class of 2023, more than 95% of the enrolled students were ranked in the top 10% of their graduating classes in high school. If you want to gain admission to Columbia, you should strive to obtain the highest GPA possible in high school.

Some schools weight their GPAs while others do not. Schools that weight GPAs give added weight for AP or IB courses, meaning that it is possible to get a GPA of more than 4.0. If your school weights GPAs, take courses to allow your GPA to be higher than 4.1. If your school does not weight GPAs, aim to achieve a 4.0 GPA. You will also need to obtain your GPA from difficult classes. If you have a 4.0 unweighted GPA in easy classes, that will not be good enough. You will need to take the most rigorous curriculum at your high school and achieve a high GPA from taking those courses to improve your chances of admission to Columbia.

If you begin taking a class and are having trouble, you should not wait to ask for help. When you get help from a tutor early, it will be much easier for you to understand the material and get a good grade than it will be if you wait until later. A tutor might help you to learn the material so that you can protect your GPA.

What SAT or ACT scores do I need to get into Columbia?

Columbia accepts either the ACT or SAT and does not have a preference for one over the other. The last testing dates that can be considered are November for early decision or February for regular decision. You can self-report your scores on the Common or Coalition application or update your scores on the Columbia application status page after you have applied. You can also have your scores sent directly from your school to Columbia or have the testing company send them directly by entering the registration code for Columbia.

To get into Columbia, you will need to have a top SAT or ACT score. Columbia states that the 25th and 75th percentiles for the SAT and ACT scores of its most recent entering class of freshmen were as follows:

However, you will need to obtain a very competitive SAT or ACT score if you want to get into Columbia. For its most recent class, Columbia reports that the entering students achieved the following scores at the 25th and 75th percentiles:

• SAT EBRW – 710 at the 25th percentile
• SAT EBRW – 760 at the 75th percentile
• SAT Math – 740 at the 25th percentile
• SAT Math – 800 at the 75th percentile
• SAT Composite – 1450 at the 25th percentile
• SAT Composite – 1560 at the 75th percentile
• ACT composite – 33 at the 25th percentile
• ACT composite – 35 at the 75th percentile

Among the entering freshmen who took the SAT, 81% earned scores ranging from 700 to 800 on the EBRW, and 89% earned scores ranging from 700 to 800 on the SAT Math subsection. For those students who took the ACT, 97% scored 30 or higher. When you view the percentile ranges, your goal should be to achieve an ACT or SAT score at the upper end of the range.

The sooner that you can begin to prepare for the ACT or SAT, the better. Some people perform equally well on either test, but others find that they do better on one of the two tests. Taking the PSAT/MSQT and the PreACT can give you a feel for what these tests are like and which test might be a better option for you. Take these tests during your freshman or sophomore year to get an idea. You can then start practicing on the test that you have chosen by taking practice tests online or from an official practice test book.

You will want to retake the PSAT/NMSQT at the beginning of your junior year. This test is used to select students as national merit scholars. Being named as a national merit scholar looks great on your application and makes you eligible for the national merit scholarship.

You should plan regular times to take practice tests for the ACT or SAT. Time your tests and take them in similar situations to what you might expect on the test date. As the date of your first attempt at the SAT or ACT draws closer, practice more frequently. When you complete practice tests, pay attention to what you missed. Identifying the types of questions that you have more difficulty with can help you to work on your weaker areas to improve your scores. A test prep tutor can also help you to identify your weaker areas and help you to understand how to address them. When you start practicing early, you will have much more time to work on securing the best score possible on your test.

When you reach your junior year of high school, you should start taking the ACT or SAT. By your junior year, you should have learned most of what is contained on these tests. Starting to take the SAT or ACT during your junior year will provide you with the opportunity to retake the test more times to improve your score.